5 Things I Hate About My Caterpillar 289D3

Explaining the 5 things I hate but also 5 things I love about my Cat 289D3. Also some minor upgrades I did.

[@jeffmayeux1692]

Gill, love the honest review of the Cat CTL. You take good care of that machine. Looks like it is in showroom condition.

[@gillpecceuservices]

Thank you. Some days it stays dirty. This was recently after a wash. There are always little things that bother people even on the best machines out there. It would be boring if it was perfect. Aloha.

[@aaronperozzi1548]

I spent a little over a year running a 289 D3, 6 days a week, 10hrs a day. I agree with the lack of in cab storage, I found the best thing for myself was a nice strap and a lunchbox and secure behind your head in the rear window. The door can be a pain in the butt, but I've ran a Takeuchi, Bobcat and Kubota, I would still take the Cat any day of the week for almost every single task, and they have the only quality seal on the door and that actually works to see out of clearly, every other machine I ran I would just open the door, I couldn't stand the rattling and a flat sheet of glass is terrible to see out of, cat figured it out with the curved window.

[@gillpecceuservices]

Thank you for that insight. Aloha

[@RoboDriller]

I use a backpack for all my lunch "box " underground. I will NOT go back to an cooler/pail. The backpack is superior imo to a pail. They even make insulated back pack. Swiss gear- expensive but made it 2 years underground with me.

[@Yettiattack]

I love cat brand for excavators. I do not like their skids.

[@langdons2848]

Agree about the tie down points on the front of the machine. My 226B3 skid steer has them as well. Luckily for me my plant trailer coincidentally has tie down rings in just the right place to use them. But that's just luck!

[@billtravis523]

Really good vid which shows and describes the machine...that's what I clicked here to see. It's obvious that you comprehend that a working man doesn't want to look at another fella's face filling the screen for half an hour. Too many unwatchable, arms-length selfie videos being posted by machine and truck reviewers these days. Your attention to detail regarding the machine and the upgrades you've installed indicates your reliability as a source of information. I've Liked & Subbed along with this Comment in order to boost the algorithms in your favor.

[@gillpecceuservices]

Thank you sir. Much appreciated. Aloha.

[@tristardiggin]

That thing is a beauty! I love everything about it. That will be my next skid steer when the 259 is done. Appreciate the video now I need to wipe the drool away...

[@gillpecceuservices]

I do truly love it. Needed to make the video for the little things though.

[@EastyUK]

I picked up a second hand d3 279 a few months ago, it’s been great, as you said absolute beast in power. I understand 279 is similar it’s only the radial lift vs vertical. Mine is an open cabin, being in California I’m not to concerned, heated seat is enough and I find working with trees I often need to get out when the lifter isn’t full down. Mine does have a crazy parasite power draw, that’s the only issue I need to solve, maybe a relAy battery shutoff in the cab.

[@gillpecceuservices]

Little electrical issues are so annoying. Thankfully no problems yet in that area.

[@granthall7986]

Love the phone mount. CAT actually makes a ram mount that mounts on the left hand side under the keys. Absolutely love it there and it keeps it right at eye level. My 259 came with it from the dealership, they threw it in for me.

[@gillpecceuservices]

Nice.😁

[@rontopping2048]

I hope your joking about phone mount.

[@operatingengineer520]

My main reasons I will not own a Cat track machine are the cab, the suspension and the bucket geometry. I’ll explain. The cab makes me feel like I’m running a coffin. I’m a big guy, 6’3”, the leg room, the side leg room between the pods. I also cannot stand the door. The suspension with that bastard floating front track roller. Grading, fork unloading from a trailer, the damn thing just drives me nuts. Try unloading with forks and stabbing a pallet. One of my big hates! The geometry of the front bucket. They got that bucket tucked in so tight that you can’t see the heel of the bucket. And the stoke of the bucket tilt cylinders is less than most, why you ask that it makes a difference, trying to get material from the tip to heel by curling up, most others have a longer travel. The electro/hydraulic controls also drive me nuts. There’s so much delay. All their other shit they try to add to their machines is pointless. A good operator can regulate speed with their hand and don’t need a cruise control or whatever the cycle feature they use for repetitious tasks. We’ve owned 2 new hollands, one wheel, one tracked before we traded off for our first Takeuchi. 3 Taks later, I still love them. To each their own on track skid steers though. Machine is clean and if you keep on top, it’ll stay that way. I will say, we bought a Cat 306 excavator and the only hate I have for it, is the swing. But that machine is badass. It’s now two years old, and looks damn good after 1,100 hours. So I’m not totally against Cat, don’t take my comments wrong, just not a cat track loader guy, unless it’s a 953, 963 lol.

[@gillpecceuservices]

I appreciate your comments. They are well put and are legitimate. I agree with you on most of your points. I have not owned another brand CTL. The only experience is with this CAT 289D3. I have unloaded 4k+ lbs pallets with this machine and it does very well. Made a video of it. I just took my time and never had an issue with the suspension on the machine. Bucket geometry could be better. Im used to running a CAT backhoe and 305 Excavator. Bucket on the Backhoe is mucch better designed for carrying and unloading. I consider the cruise control which is more of a speed limit control good for some operators. I've never used it. The only problem for me on the electric over hydraulic controls for me is that they are not sensitive enough around the center/neutral stick position. The also have aggressiveness settings on the controls for a little delay or no delay from input. The cab for me is as snug as I want to be. I am 6'4" and 220lbs so its.....snug but ok. I will never put down other machines because there is no perfect one for everyone. Thank you for taking the time to see my video and writing. Aloha.🙂

[@skliros9235]

Well said

[@TheAefril]

Thank you for taking the time to detail a comprehensive statement like that. I am in the market to buy, but still need convincing before I commit to a particular brand or size.

[@rbbarnby108]

The 330G Deere has lots of options like air ride, heated seat, high flow or standard flow, auto bucket leveling, the option of changing the controls from ISO or H pattern auto reversing engine fan, the option to slow down the travel to snail movement if you are doing something touchy.. There is a nice tray behind your feet for storage of a pair of gloves or what ever.. There are so many more heat/AC vents on the 330G or the 332G, which is a track machine.. The Deere machines are so much easier to service than the Cat.. Changing the oil and fuel filters on the Cat is fairly tight being back in that hole.. The Deere you remove the side panels giving you lots of room to get to the filters.. The Deere has automatic idle if you stop for like five seconds, then when you touch the control again it comes back up to where the throttle is set on the control.. The 330G and the 332G have ride control that lets the loader arms float a little when going over rough ground.. The Deere machines are equipped with a back up camera and a blue tooth radio.. (not all are so equipped) The Deere machines are also rated to pick up more than the Cat.. Thank you for the great review of your Cat machine.. I hope it gives you many hours of service.. This is a very good video highlighting your thoughts of this machine.. You mentioned all the open cracks on your Cat, for garbage to get into the engine compartment, or under the cab.. I had my drum mulcher on my machine and there was only fine sawdust that got under the cab or into the engine compartment and I hit it with an air hose and blew it away quickly.. Thanks again for taking the time to make your review of your machine..

[@digginandbuildinwv7012]

The new redesigned 265 looks to solve most issues everyone has had with d3 models. Im looking at one on Tuesday, they got one in for demoing.

[@gillpecceuservices]

I'd love to look at one myself. I think it'll be a while until they show up here in Hawaii.

[@digginandbuildinwv7012]

@@gillpecceuservices I'll try to take video and post it

[@gillpecceuservices]

@@digginandbuildinwv7012 Sweet. Thank you.

[@digginandbuildinwv7012]

@@gillpecceuservices I posted short vid today

[@ravenbarsrepairs5594]

I've been in 262D's for 4 years, over 7k hours.... Just got a 262D3 last week. I've found the rear right corner of the cab to be a good place to tuck things in for storage. My new machine came with all the debris guards, and the netting on the lift cylinders just doesn't stay in place on the body side. Had the issue with less than 5hrs on the machine. Unless they've changed the quick couple, it's not hydraulic. It's a hydraulic hose running the wires for the leveling sensor and electric quick attach motor. I'll have to see how it holds up on this one, but on the 262D's, the constant bending of wires results in broken wires repeatedly.

[@gillpecceuservices]

It looks like you are right about the cab having a little storage space in the right rear corner. I might have to make a holder for things there. As for the quick coupler I did confirm that it is a Hydraulic cylinder and not an electric actuator. I have 3 lines running to the coupler in the front. 2 are hydraulic for the coupler and the 3rd is the electric lines for the actuator if it was so equipped which has a block off plug in it. Those sneaky guys at CAT making it look like a single hydraulic hose for the electric actuator. The Hydraulic works much faster and has a more positive feel when changing attachments.

[@myk55501]

Hey, The Cat ride compared to Kubota and the Taco 12 and if you need parts you can get them Kubota not so much You keep it clean which is what makes your equipment last.

[@barbh4449]

It’s easy to add storage those metal bars will work great with molle straps so any bag or pouch will attach to the side panel

[@gillpecceuservices]

🤔

[@coldcaribbean]

I have a 289D3 as well. I love it, but the 2 speed is week going up steep-ish hills. It starts to buck on me, which is annoying. My previous 262D (wheeled) machine had the same engine/frame and it had no problem with the same hills in 2 speed. I think the extra rolling resistance of the big 14" tracks is a bit much for that motor in 2 speed. But I didn't want to deal with the DEF that comes with the 299 so I'll live with it.

[@gillpecceuservices]

I agree with the 2 speed being a little lacking in the uphill department but minor inconvenience for me.

[@coldcaribbean]

@@gillpecceuservices BTW, I ordered that tackform mount! I agree, there is no good space for a phone in that cab. The pouch in the upper left corner doesn't fit most modern phones. BTW, I linked your video in my purchase, maybe they'll throw you a sponsorship. That's for the tip, looking forward to trying that out.

[@destryjo9783]

Not sure if it helps I have a 259b 3 and I crossed my chains in the front over the bucket to opposite sides works awesome but I only have the buckets not other attachments.

[@phillmckrakin2518]

I have been looking for a newer machine. There are many +/- to each brand it would seem. Spent some time in a 259D nice but can't see well.

[@rirebel6029]

Love everything about ours except there is no room to have anything extra in the cab with you like lunch box and a hard hat , if you put tye hard hat behind the seat it works its way around to your elbow over and over again .I took a piece of tie wire and made a hard hat holder

[@gillpecceuservices]

Thats a good idea.

[@TylerBemis]

Definitely keep up on undercarriage grease!! Recommend daily atleast the door is a trade off no other brand seals that tight. The flip up door on other brands is sweet for entering exiting but huge trade off with rattling and bad seal

[@gillpecceuservices]

Will do

[@wakka9000plustax]

Biggest flaws are exposed hydraulic lines in the tracks and quick coupler. Not sure why they thought that was a good idea

[@gillpecceuservices]

I agree that those lines are too exposed. Having said that I have had sticks and such in my track motor lines. I cleared those immediately and they caused no damage. I am also aware of what material I am entering and running over. I avoid going blind into thick areas to preserve my equipment. My Motto is: Go slow to go fast.

[@justingreene9724]

My New Holland C332 the door comes off pretty easy does the door come off easy on that ?

[@gillpecceuservices]

It does but there is a sensor wired with it so the Hydraulics will not function with the door off.

[@freedomconstruction]

My man has, not one, not two, but three dewalt grease guns. A backup for your backup haha

[@gillpecceuservices]

I have the same exact number of the exact same grease gun in my shop.

[@bearbait2221]

LOL i was thinking no room for sandwich> neet vid nice Cat

[@kendalllanpher1537]

Wait till you change the motor oil. You have to take the battery out so get to the oil filter.

[@gillpecceuservices]

I have changed the oil on the 289 no problem for me to get to the oil filter. It is tight but no problem.

[@stanleyshults6427]

U,all need to try Case skid steer,grt machine

[@4thgenfarmer371]

Why do they put the radio over your shoulder or behind you it drives me nuts. Kubota is the same way

[@gillpecceuservices]

It truly is a crappy place to put it.

[@jerryvwallace2]

Where else they gonna put it ?

[@summitxcontractors6373]

It's slightly inconvenient, but at the same time I have other equipment that put the sterep in a much more convenientocation BUT they get so much dust and dirt in them they fail, the buttons stop working.

[@gregmcnamara9229]

A radio would only hinder an operators ability to run the machine safely. Especially with all the other complaints he has on top of it!!!

[@gordoo8351]

I’m 5’2 134lbs on a good day small cab won’t be an issue for me

[@danny6905]

Really thinking of selling my 5055E tractor to get one of these ,, I feel i could prob do more with it plus more compact

[@gillpecceuservices]

Sounds like an idea.

[@sdrammm696969]

I love my BOBCAT T66 plentiful of Room

[@jmtkenworth59]

Off subject but is your shop a versatube building?

[@gillpecceuservices]

why yes, yes it is.

[@jmtkenworth59]

@@gillpecceuservices I've been looking at them pretty seriously. Are you happy with it? What's the dimensions I'm looking at going 42x80x16

[@gillpecceuservices]

@@jmtkenworth59 The are designed with too many screws per beam. Try to look at Olympia steel buildings. much simpler and seems beefier.

[@mostwelcometv7912]

Very nice vedio

[@gillpecceuservices]

Thank you.

[@mattnewell1906]

AND…Your love of the visibility probably explains WHY they have a smaller cab. The bigger the cab, think about it..the more cab, the more it will block visibility..

[@gillpecceuservices]

True. It's a give and take. The cab size for me is just right.

[@stevep959]

Waiting on my Takeuchi TL8R2. Looked at the Cat 289D3 but glad I didn't go there

[@gillpecceuservices]

Other than price. May I ask why?

[@stevep959]

@@gillpecceuservices Getting into earthworks after being a Paramedic for a long time. Spoke to lots of various operators and watched a lot of reviews.

[@gillpecceuservices]

@@stevep959 They are all great machines.

[@stevep959]

@@gillpecceuservices Thank you. Have to wait until August for it to arrive in Australia but looking forward to getting to work with it

[@gillpecceuservices]

@@stevep959 You wont be disappointed. Is this your first piece of equipment? Have you operated before?

[@bradgifford3122]

I would like a true neutral opinion… not someone who’s got a hard on for on brand or the other and just argues… I sat in a used 289C2 for the first time the other day and the visibility to the quick detach is non-existence… the huge chunk of steel connecting the lifting arms blocks it all making connecting to other attachments a real pain…a bobcat or others seems to be completely open to see the bucket quick connect… am I missing something?

[@gillpecceuservices]

You are correct. I have to lean forward to see if I am lined up on an attachment. I am 6'3" and its not that much of a problem leaning forward. I am more irritated that I can not open the door unless the arms are all the way down.

[@markroderick3300]

It is very sad that the dealer could not take the time to get thier stickers on straight on the sides.

[@gillpecceuservices]

huh didnt even notice

[@markroderick3300]

@@gillpecceuservices sorry i notice details other people overlook

[@gillpecceuservices]

@@markroderick3300 I appreciate that.

[@1oddtech]

The dealer probably cares but the technician doing the pre delivery of the machine probably doesn't

[@markroderick3300]

@@1oddtech yeah you can't get good help nowadays and the dealer wants everything done fast fast fast

[@digger7871]

OSHA won't think to highly of your strobe modification if you pack over someone

[@gillpecceuservices]

Not worried about OSHA here. If I am on a jobsite that requires an alarm its as easy as swapping the plug back in 2 seconds.

[@daleolson3506]

Are these just assembled in the USA with parts sourced from China?the price of repair parts will curl your hair. The parts that wear out because they were made in China.

[@gillpecceuservices]

Almost everything now days is Chineseium

[@mitchstephen5491]

They are made in the states in Raleigh North Carolina, I have had a tour of the factory.

[@daleolson3506]

@@mitchstephen5491 made or assembled out of containers?

[@mitchstephen5491]

@@daleolson3506 the steel is cut to shape in a shop close to the plant and they are powder coated and assembled at the plant. Now I am not sure about the rest of the components but I’m sure that not everything is made in the USA.

[@corghhh]

The door dont even get me started sooo cheap, in side the stereo location total after thought in design so dumb. Other then that its bad ass.

[@gillpecceuservices]

Now that you mention it, the door does seem a little whimpy. Stereo location does suck.

[@truckershades6999]

I drive a truck and haul them alot I swear those tie down spots on the front are the worst!!

[@AlohaVeeDubDude-bk7zu]

Yes they are. I use the loader arm tie down point with a foundry hook on the end of the chain. They are weight rated and work great.

[@phillmckrakin2518]

That old Mercedes looks like my old 300sd.

[@gillpecceuservices]

Yup 300SD. We got 3 of them in good order.

[@phillmckrakin2518]

@@gillpecceuservices you didn't happen to pick it up in Michigan did you?

[@gillpecceuservices]

@@phillmckrakin2518 I live a tad bit away from Michigan....I bought it new in Kona, on the Big Island of Hawaii.

[@phillmckrakin2518]

@@gillpecceuservices lol, lucky you!

[@13eckerlosmuerte]

You are missing the pads on the loader arms, they are rubber pads that are supposed to ride and bolt through the arm. On our track loader we welded 1/2" hooks on the arms for chain & binder so you can gain optimum angle on the chain binders to trailer for whatever setup you have. It was ensured that the arms must be on the bushings pushed down to ensure correct downforce on the chains is met

[@gillpecceuservices]

I see no provisions for any type of pad on the loader arm to prevent the Quick attach from hitting nothing but steel. I have never seen a pad in that area before. If there is a picture I would love to see it. Also I use foundry hooks on the loader arm securement holes for my tie down. Aloha.

[@13eckerlosmuerte]

@Gill Pecceu ours came with welded squares in the arms (they had to have arc gouged the arm to fit the squares flush) with rubber bushings, I'd love to show you pictures if I had them. I no longer work for the company that had it. But it seemed like the previous owner of 150 hours did things already as I can't locate any provisions from Empire CAT. The chain hooks were added as our trailer was wide enough where short chains where a necessity to anchor the front down. 4 chains and 4 binders was a bit overkill but squicker than running a full length of chain through and over the bucket with a binder splitting the difference in the middle

[@rontopping2048]

Worst cab and crossbar on lift arms in front . Bobcat!!

[@andrevernon1932]

I don't like the Cat CTL's. I am of the opinion that Kubota makes a far superior CTL.

[@gillpecceuservices]

Well for what its worth. The CATs run a Kubota motor 🤣

[@skliros9235]

I honestly don't see anything appealing about the cat. And I can't stand the small cab and the goofy arm geometry up front. I guess that's what happens when you try designing a machine to be both wheeled and track.

[@gillpecceuservices]

Well these machines can't be awesome for every individual. There will always be something that doesn't work for somebody.

[@skliros9235]

@@gillpecceuservices if you ever get a chance, try out a Takeuchi.

[@gregmcnamara9229]

Look at the machines of the past. Those MEN would slap you in the face and tell you WORK is not ment to be luxury. It's an earth moving machine lmfao😅.You have no idea how good you have it with these modern machines and if you can't cope many it's time for a tampon?

[@gillpecceuservices]

Agreed. New machines also equal less fatigue. I run old machines as well and I am way more productive in my new machines.

[@Yettiattack]

#1 its a cat ctl 😂🙉

[@thenussbaum44]

This could have been ten minutes.

[@gillpecceuservices]

I agree. Thank you for watching.

[@smooth247fyi]

Deuchebag ALERT ⚠️ 📢

[@nickthrane4940]

Should of bought a Bobcat!

[@gillpecceuservices]

😆

[@rbbarnby108]

I ran Bobcats years ago digging swimming pools in California.. I had three and they were a 974, a 825, and a 721.. I do not care for the Bobcat of today however.. I now am retired and only have one skid steer.. It is a 330G John Deere.. A super nice machine.. Lots of bells and whistles.. So comfortable to operate and easy to service..